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Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard's picture

The BRI is Dead? Long Live the BRI? Part IV-Bad Flail at the Rail(way) or How Not to Confront the BRI

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard
Posted: Jan 05, 2024

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has generated so much commentary that it is conceivable that if one printed out all the relevant pages and laid them end-to-end the length might approach that of all the railway track laid under the aegis of the BRI![i] Further commentary seems even m

MNCs in the News-2021-April

Tesla’s road in China becomes bumpier. China’s China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) accepts application from France’s BNP Paribas to set up securities firm in China. China’s foreign direct investment (FDI) in and lending to Africa switch from a focus on energy to minerals which also has implications for the countries that it targets. China’s Ministry of Commerce reports that non-financial outward FDI (OFDI) in the first quarter of 2021 grew 4.6 percent over the same period in 2020, with solid growth in OFDI to Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries. Japan’s Line works to improve disclosures and employee data handling practices in the wake of revelations employees at an affiliate in China accessed some of its users’ data. Major investment by Tencent subsidiary in Japan’s Rakuten draws regulatory attention due to concerns about the leak of personal information and technology from the latter to the former. Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) imposes fine on Apple Korea due to Apple Korea actions that disrupted a KFTC investigation of Apple Korea’s abuse of its market dominance. Korean actors move to organize lawsuit against Facebook which has been found by Korean regulators to have violated Korean law by sharing user data without consent. Korea’s Samsung and Hyundai Motor reportedly prepare big proposals for FDI in the US prior to upcoming summit between Korean President Moon and US President Biden. SK Innovation pays $1.8 billion to LG Energy Solutions to settle a dispute between the two firms relating to the former’s theft of electric battery trade secrets from the latter.

MNCs in the News-2020-03-27

The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) has issued more than 6400 force majeure certificates to help suppliers deal with their inability to meet their contractual obligations. Per China’s Ministry of Commerce, Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) for the first two months of 2020 totaled USD $15.5 billion, a 1.8 percent year-over-year (YOY) increase. China’s MOFCOM reports that Chinese companies put $2.72 billion into 48 countries along the Belt and Road, an 18.3 percent jump YOY. Chinese construction companies prove adept at rapidly building hospitals in countries facing medical infrastructure challenges in coronavirus era. In the first defense product export deal since Japan eased its arms trade ban in 2014, Mitsubishi will sell air radar systems to the Philippines. In an atmosphere where automobile companies are expected to help by producing supplies to deal with Covid-19, Toyota North America moves to step up production of related goods. Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics get exemptions to send engineers to their plants in Vietnam. US International Trade Commissions released documents explaining its default judgement supporting LG Chem’s accusations of trade secret theft by SK Innovation.

MNCs in the News-2015-10-16

Inward foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into China grew 7.1 percent in September over the prior year. China’s National Development Reform Commission expects to produce first draft of antirust guidelines for the automobile sector by the end of October. China’s State Administration of Taxation moves forward with plan to deal with tax avoidance issues such as transfer pricing. Google reported activates Google Maps and Google Earth on and moves servers to the Chinese mainland. IBM to allow China to view its security codes in a clean room to assuage Chinese concerns about foreign technology. Chinese OFDI continues to show strength, especially along One Belt, One Road. Russian subnational units court Chinese investment. Dakang New Zealand pulls out of massive dairy investment in New Zealand blaming regulatory obstacles. Chinese anticorruption authorities move against Sam Pa as part of investigation of Su Shulin and Sinopec. Japan works with Iran to bolster its investment opportunities in the country. Korea’s Trade-Investment Promotion Agency holds job fair to help young Korean jobseekers land positions with foreign companies in Korea and abroad. Starbucks Coffee Korea brews up a new mix of programs to give back to the community in Korea. Korean firms score well in winning packages to build a massive oil refinery in Kuwait. Freeport favors IPO divestment method to satiate Indonesian government requirements for ownership stake reallocation.

MNCs in the News-2015-07-10

China tells foreign businesses to stop whining. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) reports that China’s three new free trade zones (FTZs) have attracted significant foreign direct investment (FDI). China’s draft cybersecurity law raises new concerns among foreign technology firms and foreign companies operating in China. China’s heavy outward FDI to and presence around Angola raise concerns among Angolans. Tokyo hosts “Mekong Five” leaders summit to promote export, investment, and infrastructure opportunities for Japanese firms. Japan looks to beat China to build the first deep-water port in Bangladesh. Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chano-Cha courts greatest Japanese investment in Thailand’s special economic zones. Indonesia’s state energy firm Pertamina asserts ownership over the Mahakam block. Indonesia to revoked thousands of unused investment permits issued between 2000 and 2006. Freeport-McMoRan moves to divest mining shares pursuant to Indonesia government regulations. Vietnam moves to build investment and business cooperation in ICT with Japan and South Korea. Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary promises administrative reforms on tax and customs procedures to create a better investment climate for foreign businesses.

MNCs in the News-2015-05-15

Inward foreign direct investment (FDI) into China continues to impress. China softens move to eliminate preferences given to foreign investors. Tim Cook launches new environmental initiative during visit to China. Cisco CEO John Chambers highlights how politics is affecting his firm’s business and the operations of other IT companies. LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner describes the censorship of the firm’s Chinese-language website as essential but “very painful.” China’s freeing of prices in the electricity sector have potential to open new investment and sales opportunities for foreign firms. China’s investment in Africa increases, drawing praise from Kenyan local leaders. Political and economic factors spur increased Chinese investment in Israel. China’s investment lenses focus on Latin America’s “liberal” economies. Korea’s POSCO Energy negotiating joint investment fund with Korea’s National Pension Service that would support overseas power plant investments. Korea’s Daewoo International working with various Saudi government partners on building a car manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia. Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board promises to smooth South Korean investment in Indonesia.